06/06/05 Nautilus GmbH Laboratoriumsbedarf has announced the recent European launch of NicoShot, the world’s first smoking-cessation beer containing a shot of natural nicotine, about what you would get in a couple of regular filtered cigarettes.

NicoShot is brewed to the German Purity Law of 1516 and contains 3 milligrams of naturally derived nicotine alkaloids, 63 calories and 4.5 carbohydrates, with 6.3% alcohol by volume per 250 ml shot can. The cutting-edge nicotine beer is fire brewed separately and a standardized herbal extract of natural tobacco leaf ( Nicotiana tabacum L. ) of the Solanaceae nightshade family is added at the end of the natural brewing process.

NicoShot is cigarette satisfaction in a beer without the smoke. For most smokers, three cans of NicoShot is comparable to an entire pack of conventional cigarettes. Best of all, there’s none of the tar or carbon monoxide the comes from burring tobacco. Similar to nicotine gum, NicoShot is considered nicotine replacement therapy that provides a steady, controlled release of nicotine. It can be used to relieve withdrawal symptoms at the beginning of quitting, to relieve urges from cigarette smoke ( cravings ) while quitting, or to avoid relapse months after quitting when a new stress or situation may trigger a strong urge to smoke. While NicoShot can lessen cravings, it is not a ‘cure’ for smoking. But it can help you make changes in your lifestyle without having to walk out of the bar for a quick smoke to deal with sudden withdrawal symptoms. Over time, when you are more comfortable being a nonsmoker, the use of nicotine beer can be reduced and then stopped.

Sweden is the latest European country to ban smoking in restaurants, bars and cafes, but Swedish smokers may find some reprieve in the European Court of Justice ruling which allows for sales of nicotine patches and nicotine gum from outlets other than the state run pharmacy monopoly, Apoteket. The loophole may also allow for distribution of other new prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications including nicotine enhanced beer.